‘Happiness is a warm gun’

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Comments

This is super Spencer. It references the song beautifully.

Further explanations: The bridge section of the song repeats ‘Mother Superior jumps the gun’, 6 times and is a reference to Yoko Ono as that was Lennon’s nickname for her. The chorus repeats ‘Happiness is a warm gun’, several times and was said to be a reference to shooting up drugs or a sexual reference to his relationship with her. When asked he said it was a reference to the way the USA was advertising guns for sale and that people were only happy when holding guns.

It’s a lovely painting even without the explanation Spencer.

Wow, Spencer, you have captured the essence of the song so well!!

Thank you so much for your lovely comments Fiona B, Fiona P and David.

Yes, a tricky one to interpret in one image. But it's a good one. Well done Spencer.

Definitely a difficult one to do

Lots going on in the song and you’ve selected and executed really well. At first glance I thought you’d moved on from the Beatles to Guns n Roses!

Beautiful work spencer. Great details

Another excellent picture in the series ☺️

Thanks for the explain Spencer. Interesting drawing.

You keep us well informed Spence. It"s musical surrealism.

Nice imagery Spencer and thanks for the explanation too.

Thank you so much for your great comments Lewis, Heather, Martin, Terry, Stephen, Sylvia, John and Andrew. I really do appreciate it particularly as this song was so difficult to represent.

Superb artwork Spencer. I have never heard of this song but as Lennon said it must refer to the gun culture in the USA. A very imaginative representation of the song.

Thank you so much for your comment David. I really do appreciate it.

Terrific Spencer.

What an awesome composition - so creative. I love it, Spencer!

Thank you so much for your lovely comment Paula. Much appreciated!

Hang on Studio Wall
08/01/2024
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Continuing my Beatles’ lyrics theme ‘Happiness is a warm gun’, was written by Lennon in 1968 and is a very strange song to reproduce artistically. It is divided into three parts: The dirty old man, The Junkie and The Gunman. I’ve used the lyrics ‘She’s not a girl who misses much … Shes well acquainted with the touch of the velvet hand, like a lizard on a windowpane’. Its painted in watercolour on A3 with the background produced using Brusho powders.

About the Artist
Spencer Lambeth-Angell

I only took up painting during the lockdown so a lot of my work is experimental trying to find out what techniques work well for me. Decades ago I trained as a Primary School teacher with art and design as one of my subjects but textiles was my main area of work. I enjoy painting and drawing but am…

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